Grandmothers caring for grandchildren

Posted on April 29, 2009
Filed Under Woman, child |

In recent years our country has experienced a number of important social changes have led to the emergence of different types of households and the progressive incorporation of women into the labor market. This, together with the prolongation of life expectancy, has meant that the grandparents, especially grandmothers, in many cases take care of their grandchildren due to the impossibility of doing so by their parents or the lack of social support.

In summary
According to this study, care for grandchildren is a supportive element of social support perceived by grandmothers, and an improvement in their mental health

Several previous studies conducted in other countries were worst levels of perceived health for these people, the greater occurrence of diseases and psychological sense of burden in care giving grandmothers. Caring for grandchildren provides, moreover, positive or beneficial effects such as feelings of usefulness, enjoyment of the grandchildren, etc.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of caring for grandchildren part-time on the quality of life related to health and social support perceived by grandmothers.

Were evaluated more than 100 grandmothers who were responsible for their young grandchildren part-time throughout the working week without financial remuneration?

The results showed that perceived social support for these grandmothers is greater than that of women of similar age who do not care for grandchildren. Unlike other studies, these ladies did not show differences in their mental health and perceived physical health in regard to the control group. In fact, perceived mental health was better when the ground was causing the careful work of parents, like social support, and worse when the grandchildren were sleeping in their grandmother’s house.

The authors conclude that care of grandchildren is an impetus for social support perceived by grandmothers and does not have a significant impact on their health.

Abeles: caring for grandchildren can be mentally healthy!

Share and Enjoy: